The Art Student

Well we bought our three little mice: Milly, Molly and Mandy (three girls so we don't get babies!), and they are a source of delight for the kids - until the novelty wears off. Here is the first artwork featuring Milly in amongst some pencils. Your challenge is to see if you can find the tiny paintbrush I have hidden somewhere in the picture. It took my husband and kids ages to find it, but I suspect it may be easier on the computer screen. This ACEO is available to purchase from my ebay store.

Latest ACEO - Hide and Seek

This is my latest ACEO - had so much fun drawing little mice, that I thought we might add to our extensive family pet collection to get a couple of mice, so I have ready little models - hope they don't smell too much, but they are very cute.

I was interested, and I must admit, a little disappointed to see the Innocence ACEO did not sell on ebay, so have moved it over to Etsy. That is the first of my ACEO's not to sell in a while, maybe because it was too much like a portrait. I have always started my ACEO prices from a reserve of between $20 and $30 aud, so thought I would try something different with this latest one and start the bidding at 95 cents, to see if it attracts more interest. I guess there is always a risk in doing this, that it does sell for only 95 cents, which really doesn't make 6-8 hours of work worthwhile, but will be an interesting process. This ACEO may be purchased from my ebay store.

Completed Eyes of Steel

Here is the completed piece - there is something so awesome about Big Cats - so beautiful and yet intimidating, I love to draw them. This ACEO is available to purchase from by ebay store. Wishing everyone a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by :)

WIP - Eyes of Steel

When selecting subjects, it is always the eyes that I am drawn to and the unnerving gaze of this gorgeous leopard fascinated and inspired me. A detailed outline was done using dark umber in the Prismacolor Verithin range. The background has been inked in with Matisse acrylic ink. And then, as always, I start with the eyes, which are only pencilled in at this stage. When the artwork is almost completed, I will go over the blackest areas with ink.

With Love

Here is my latest ACEO which is now available to purchase on ebay. Some of the animals I love to draw are not available here in Australia, such as hamsters, and so then I rely on the generosity of photographers on sites such as flickr to allow me to use their images as reference photos. I would like to dedicate todays blog to one of those photographers "Pyza" whose reference photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/chmurka/2837700806/in/set-72157604318432847/ I used for this artwork, and several of the pieces I have done that include hamsters. It really is worth checking out her photostream to see her gorgeous little hamsters and the delightful photos she takes of them. She obviously adores these little animals like children, and I cannot view her site without breaking into a big smile. A big thankyou to her for allowing me the honour of drawing her little pets.

Finished Innocence

Here is the finished piece of little Miriam - what an angelic face she has! This original ACEO is available for sale in my ebay store and will be available for sale as Ceramic Tile Art, Framed Tile Art and Keepsake box just in time for Mother's Day.

WIP Innocence - stage 2

Working on this little one brings back all the wonderful memories of when our own boys, three of whom are now well into their teens, were tiny like this and almost (I do say almost!!!) makes me clucky again. They are so perfect at this age, especially when asleep, but they are a lot of work too.

WIP - Innocence

There is something so appealing about the innocence and beauty of a little baby sleeping, and so this week I felt the urge to try and capture that with the coloured pencils on drafting film. I have to say it is much easier to capture fur with this medium, than the smoothness of skin. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break - mine was fabulous with some quality time spent with family, but the art got a bit neglected, (which sometimes makes way for new inspirations) so it is now back to the drawing board!

I am in the process of setting up a new store at Cafe Press, where customers may purchase my artwork in the form of decorative ceramic tiles, framed ceramic tiles or beautiful wooden keepsake boxes with ceramic tile inserts in the lid. I am personally very excited about this line of products, as I feel they work so well to enhance the art, and also provide art lovers with the perfect gift for that someone special, or as a durable alternative for adding to an art collection. Please click on the My Gift Shop link if you would like to visit to check out these gorgeous products.